Back of Town, a true story.

A boy was born in a poor neighbourhood of New Orleans, known as the "Back of Town".
His father abandoned the family when the child was an infant.
His mother became a prostitute & the boy & his sister had to live with their grandmother.

Early in life, he proved to be gifted for music & with 3 other kids, he sang in the streets of New Orleans & his first gains were the coins that were thrown to them.

A Jewish family, Karnovsky, who had immigrated from Lithuania to the USA, had pity for the 7-year-old boy & brought him into their home.
Initially given 'work' in the House, to feed this hungry child. Then he remained & slept in this Jewish family  where, for the first time in his life, he was treated with kindness and tenderness. When he went to bed, Mrs. Karnovsky sang him a Russian Lullaby that he would sing with her.
Later, he learned to sing & play several Russian & Jewish songs.
Over time, this boy became the adopted son of this family.

The Karnovskys gave him money to buy his first trumpet; as was the custom in the Jewish families, they sincerely admired his musical talent. Later, when he became a professional musician & composer, he used these Jewish melodies in compositions, such as St. James Infirmary & Go down, Moses.

The little black boy grew up & wrote a book about this Jewish family who had adopted him in 1907.

In memory of this family & until the end of his life, he wore a star of David & he said that it is in this family that he had learned "how to live real life & determination. ''

This little boy was called Louis Armstrong.


What a wonderful world!!! How far different it was for the boy in Nam Ron's film, JALAN PINTAS which the Censorship Board wanted to cut in 18 places.